Governing Document of the All Saints’ Singers, Sutton Courtenay

1. TITLE
The name of the Society shall be the All Saints’ Singers, Sutton Courtenay, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

2. OBJECT
The object of the Society shall be to educate the public in the arts and sciences and in particular, the art and science of music, by the presentation of concerts and other activities.

3. MEMBERSHIP
The members of the Society shall be those persons who pay the annual subscription at the appropriate rate or rates as shall be determined by the Trustees, the subscription being payable in advance and (in the case of performing members) who shall provide such evidence of musical ability as the Trustees shall require.

4. TRUSTEE OFFICERS
The management of the Society shall be in the hands of the Trustees, consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian and a maximum of five additional members of the Society. The quorum at Trustees’ meetings shall be one-third of the Trustees plus one. The Trustees shall have the power to co-opt up to one third of the total number of elected Trustees and may also fill casual vacancies by co-option. The Trustees shall be elected by and out of the Society’s members at the Annual General Meeting and they shall hold office for one year and be eligible for re-election. In the event of casual vacancies, the Trustees shall have the power to reallocate the roles among their number. The Trustees shall hold no fewer than two meetings in any year and may also conduct the business of the Society by the circulation of papers or emails, or by video-conferencing.

5. MANAGEMENT
All arrangements for the concerts and other events and the control of finance shall be in the hands of the Trustees.

6. FINANCE
a) A banking or other approved account shall be opened in the name of the Society.
b) The Society may receive donations, grants in aid and financial guarantees. Tickets for any or all of its concerts and other events may be offered for sale to the public.
c) The income and property of the Society, whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards promoting the objectives of the Society as set forth above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred either directly or indirectly to any member or members of the Society, except in payment of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of the Society. A charity trustee may benefit from trustee indemnity insurance cover purchased at the charity’s expense in accordance with, and subject to the conditions in, section 189 of the Charities Act 2011.

7. GENERAL MEETING
Each year, the members shall be summoned to an Annual General Meeting for which at least fourteen days’ notice shall have been given. Special General Meetings may be called at the written request of a minimum of ten members. General Meetings may be held by video-conferencing.

8. INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED ACCOUNTS
The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping account of all income and expenditure and shall present financial reports to Trustee meetings and also at the Annual General Meeting each year for approval by the members and to be signed by the Chairman of the meeting.

9. AMENDMENTS
a) Subject to the following provisions of this clause, the constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at a General Meeting. The notice of the General Meeting must include notice of the resolution, setting out the terms of the alteration proposed.
b) No amendment may be made to clauses 1, 2, 10 or to this clause without the prior consent in writing of the Commissioners.
c) No amendment may be made which would have the effect of making the Charity cease to be a Charity in law.
d) The Trustees should promptly send to the Commissioners a copy of any amendment made under this clause.

10. DISSOLUTION
If the Trustees decide that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Charity, it shall call a meeting of all members of the Charity, of which not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the Trustees shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Charity. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities, shall be given or transferred to such other institution or institutions, having objects similar to the objects of the Charity, as the members of the Charity may determine or failing that, shall be applied to some other charitable purpose. A copy of the statement of accounts, or account and statement for the final accounting period of the Charity must be sent to the Commissioners.

Agreed at the Annual General Meeting of All Saints’ Singers Sutton Courtenay
25th September 2020